Kolkata, the gateway to Eastern India is famous among tourists for its rich culture, extensive shopping spree, and delicacies that are a joy for every foodie.
Kolkata is a food lover’s paradise offering unlimited varieties of food, from savoury snacks to sweet delicacies. While you can enjoy these delicacies in the city’s top-notch restaurants, the lanes offer an exciting food story. As you roam around the narrow lanes of Kolkata, you will find street shops selling the most amazing and soul-satisfying cuisines. So, let’s embark on a culinary journey through the streets of Kolkata to tantalize your taste buds.
Here are the must-try street foods in Kolkata
1.Rolls
When it comes to street food in Kolkata, one cannot miss out on trying the famous rolls. The Kolkata-style rolls are a popular snack among locals and tourists alike. They are essentially a wrap made with a paratha, egg or meat, vegetables, and a variety of spices. Various rolls are availablesuch as the Egg Roll, Mutton Roll, Paneer Roll, Chicken Roll, and even a Veg Roll for vegetarians. These perfectly blend spices and are cooked to perfection, wrapped in a flaky paratha and garnished with onions and chillies.
The best places to try rolls in Kolkata are the legendary street food joints like Azad Hind Rolls, Kusum Rolls, Nizam’s, Bedwin, and Hot Kathi Roll, to name a few. These joints have been serving rolls for generations, and the quality and taste have remained unchanged over the years. The rolls here are deliciousand affordable, making them a popular snack for people from all walks of life. They are also a regular munch for people every day whether going to work or simply while hanging around. So, you must head over to the nearest street food joint and treat yourself to the delectable rolls of Kolkata.
2.Jhal Muri
Whether you are visiting tourist locations or wandering down the streets in the city, a light and delightful snack to try is the Jhal Muri. It is a spicy and tangy snack made with puffed rice, peanuts, onions, tomatoes, and chillies, mixed with a blend of spices and mustard oil. It is usually served in a cone-shaped paper or a bowl and can be found on any street corner of Kolkata. However, you can even have one without chillies for those who are not spice lovers.
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One of the best places to try Jhal Muri in Kolkata is the famous Vivekananda Park in South Kolkata. The vendors here serve Jhal Muri with a twist, adding diced raw mango and roasted peanuts to the mix, giving it an extra crunch and tanginess. Other popular spots to try Jhal Muri are at the Gariahat Market or Rabindra Sadan Metro, where you can find various street food vendors selling this snack along with other delicious delicacies.
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3.Puchka and Churmur
Puchka and Churmur are two popular street food snacks that are synonymous with Kolkata’s food culture. Puchka, also known as Gol Gappa or Pani Puri, is a crispy, hollow sphere filled with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, and tangy water made with a blend of spices, tamarind or raw mango, and mint leaves. The blend of spices, potatoes, chickpeas, and tamarind chutney gives these snacks a unique flavour that is sure to excite your taste buds. You can also try dahipuchka, served with a mix of sweet and spice making it another amazing variant.
Churmur, on the other hand, is a variant of puchka, where the papri (namkeen) is crushed and mixed with mashed potatoes, chopped onions, tomatoes, and coriander leaves. The mixture is then garnished with tamarind chutney, green chilli (you can avoid this if you do not want spice), and a sprinkle of chaat masala, giving it a unique tangy flavour. Some of the best places to try these snacks are the various street food vendors in New Market, Gariahat Market, and College Street. Indulge in these snacks, and you will surely relishKolkata’s Street food even after days.
4.Mughlai Paratha
Mughlai Paratha is a stuffed paratha that is filled with a mixture of minced meat, onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, and a blend of spices. The paratha is then shallow-fried in ghee until it is crispy and golden brown. The stuffing gives the paratha a unique flavour, making it a perfect snack for meat lovers.
Mughlai Paratha is a favourite among locals and tourists and is often served with chutney or aloo dum. Some of the best places to try Mughlai Paratha in Kolkata are Aminia, Zeeshan, and Adam’s, to name a few. These restaurants and street food joints have been serving Mughlai Paratha for generations and have perfected the recipe over time. Mughlai Paratha is a filling and tasty snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The combination of the crispy paratha and the spicy meat filling is sure to leave you craving more.
5.Biryani
Biryani as a dish needs no introduction. While many of you may have tried finger-licking biryani in several regions of India, Kolkata is another place you cannot misswhen we talk about Biryani. Kolkata-style Biryani is a unique variation of traditional Biryani, with its blend of spices and flavours that make it stand out from other regional variations.
Here, the biryani is unique and different. Made with long-grain rice and local spices including cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, and saffron, the extraordinary dish is made special with aloo (potato) added to the biryani. You can enjoy the dish in many notable restaurants of the city, yet the street vendors often offer a more affordable and accessible version of Biryani, with a simpler preparation and fewer ingredients. The Biryani is usually served in a disposable container and can be enjoyed on the go or as a quick meal. So, for all Biryani-lovers, do not leave Kolkata without trying the special Kolkata style biryani and be assured to find it distinctive and yummy.
Street food in Kolkata is not just about the food itself, but also about the experience of enjoying it in a bustling and vibrant atmosphere, surrounded by the city’s lively energy and charm. Whether you are a local or a first-time visitor to Kolkata, exploring the city’s street food scene is an experience that should not be missed.
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